If there’s one thing that really stood out about how the Phoenix
Coyotes ultimately handled the Red Wings, it was their physical play.
While some may question a number of the hits laid out by Shane Doan in
the contest — and there were a number of borderline hits — there’s no
doubting that after a shaky first period the Coyotes used some physical
intimidation to take control of the game.

Rob makes it out to sound like the Red Wings will be out for blood,
when in fact the team and the coach have harped on playing with more
intensity. There’s better ways to counter a physical team, and going toe
to toe and hit for hit isn’t exactly it. Sure, I’d expect the Red Wings
to play more physical, but that’s not the game they play.

The Red Wings need to play with more intensity, but to do so with a
much cleaner game with better execution and a more balanced attack. They
need more Pavel Datsyuk to look concerned in the third period.

Justin Abdelkader will take the ice tonight, perhaps he can help with that.